Ribbon-feeding mechanism for type-writers.



R. W. UHLIG.

RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITERS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28, 1908.

936,834. Patented Oct. 12,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

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RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITERS.

APPLIGATION FILED DEC. 28, 1908.

936,834. Patented Oct. 12,1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

& ii X IIH' H R- W. UHLIG. RIBBON FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITERS. APPLICATION FILED 1120. 28, 1908.

936,834. Patented Oct. 12, 1909.

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-" si'ng the printed line after each stroke of straight line in either nnd;easy adjustment.

Further objects will appear from a do.

nnl sectional elevation, taken through the To all whom 'it may concern:

longitud'inally on a visible writing ty ev ces 'by'each stroke of the he levers.

l tering 1 nto't-he mechanism as a whole. that theymay be firmly and conveniently niount- Zlhe machine.

-nnd claimed.

- showing n lccy lever in normal position, end

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD W. UHLIG, 0F RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY. ASSIGNOR TO EMERSON TYPE- VIRITER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

RIBBON-FEEDING MECHANISM FOR TYPE-WRITERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patente'dOet. 12, 1909.

Apblioation filed December 28, 1908. Serial No. 469,578.

l qBeit known that I, RICHARD W. UHLIG, mcitizen of the United States, residing at I Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and Stateof New Jersey, have invented certain nWFiind useful Improvements in RibbonlfeedingMec'hanism for Type-iVriters, of :whi'ch the-following is a specification.

This invention reletesto the mechanism employed forflfeeding a typewriter ribbon writer, and also to mechanism for imparting, n vibrating movement to the ribbon for exthe type; to the mechanism for revel-sin the longitudinal" feed of the ribbon, to the mechan sm fpfifi h'ifiillg the ribbon in cases \rherea two colored ribbon. is usedyand to ineclianismgfor actuating the. aforesaid de- The 'rixneryobject of the inventionis to sinipli yltheribbon feeding meehani m to the. greatest possible degree; and toso construct end arrange the various devices ened-onf the nnu-hine frame in such a manner of ports and the resultnnt complicating i'h'iother; object of the invention is to 60 locate and mount the ribbon spoolsthat they willfeed the ribbon in a substantially direction, without missing the ribbon, over rollers'ol' other devices whereby its direction of feed will be rhnngcd. thereby rendering the feeding aclion more positive. and certain and relieving the ribbon from unnecessary friction, so that the notion of the machine will be easy and reliable.

Another-objct of the invention is to so eonstruct iindmount the ribbon shift key that it will; be in a convenient )osition for the'operator and will he capabe of quick tnile l description of the invention, which consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinnfter descrihed In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudicenter of a t 'pewriter, from front to rear,

the location .of several banks of keys,1

a'sto eliminate the unnecessary multiplyin% vemly extend ng k y 18 a rod 17 the endh 0'. Y i

tendi 1 not necessari;

with "the carriage feed, platen and other mechanism, not involved in the present in- .\'ention, removed; Fig. 2 a similar view, showing the key lever depressed; Fig.3 a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the ribbon shift mechanism in normal position; Fig. l a similar view,sliowing the mechanism in shifted position; Fig. 5 a sectional elevation, taken-from side to side of the machine, showing ,the ribbon holder and associated eleinjentsi Fi'g. 6 aiperspec'tiv e view, showing the ribbon holder; andFi'g. 7 an edge. view of the shiftlever,"

Tbe' ffame of. the 'typewrit ei; comprises side walls 7,- e fiat rectangular top wall 8,

12, which arr-an'genie'i'i't furnishes ii space for 9 y oneke being sliown"in the'presnt rawings. he from well 9 is provided, in its. lower-edge, with a plnrnlity of slots 13, one for each of e plurality of ke -le ve1'sf1}1, eaclr of which, at its forward en l5,- is upturned to receive a. button 16 of the'i1s'ua,lchuiacter.- lhe key'levers are all hingedto utransofivlnch are so ported within the side walls of thefrgme. Each of the key levers is provided,"at its inner end, with 'a, vertically exerm lfi, from which extends a link 19 whlch serves to actuate a .ty'fle biii' 20. When any key is depressed, its type bar will beswn'ng'to the center of the machine to a point-marked X, which indicates the'strik ng; point ion the writing'zline; but, .in view nit'he fact that-the present invention is not concerned withjtthconst-ructionof the type bar "oi-"its mode of-,operation",*itis deemed to refer tofthese, features at length. Eac key lever is provided, immediately; in front of the'arm 18, with an up wnrdly extending"prong 21, which prongs 100 engege e'universal'bar 22 which is hinged. at its 1* ed e, to a transversely extend- 11 rod -23,- 1e arran ement being one will swung forward with each depression of a key lever as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. The llIliVBlSl'l. bar hasseoured to its front face, e depending arm 24 which extends below the line of Ice levers and is )ivoted, at

its lower end, to I. ink bar-.25. T e link bar in the of extensionsll which are eonnectedylat' their' frontfends, by a ftolltr 17m reby the free end-io the universal bar 70 and froiit-andirear wells 9.2md 10,'respee- I pro'ect from t is of the formation shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises a straight front section 26 and a straight rear section 27, parallel and offset with respect to one another and connccted by means of a diagonally extending intermediate section 28, which. intermediate section carries a laterally projecting pin 29. The rear section 27 terminates in a depending head 30 connected with the end of the arm by a neck 31. The front ed e 32 of the head, near its lower end, is slight y concaved and merges into a lower slot 33. The slot 33 lies immediately below an upper slot M which is overhung by a projection 35. The link bar is further designed to assist in the carriage feeding operations, but a description of this portion of the typewriter is deemed not necessary.

The pin 29 engages a slot 36 in the lower end of a dog arm 37, which is ivoted to a feed shaft 38 on which is rigi ly mounted a ratchet wheel 39. The dog arm, at its upper end, carries a dog 40 which en ages the teeth of the ratchet wheel and is a apted to impart intermittent rotation thereto in the direction of the arrow. The ends of the feed shaft 38 are entered through and project beyond the side walls of the raine,within which the shaft is slidably and rotatably mounted. The shaft is provided, near its ends, with a pair of oppositely facing driving bevel pinions 41 cotiperatin with a pair of driven evel pinions 42, whic are mounted u on the lower ends of a pair-of vertical spool shafts 43 located -'ust within the side walls of the frame. he position of the drivin bevel pinions on the feed shaft is such t at onl one of said driving pinions can be broug t into mesh with its driven bevel pinion' at a given time, it being necessary to shift the feed shaft lohgit'udinally in one direction or the other to vary the feedin r direction for the ribbon. In order to ho d the feedin shaft against longitudinal displacement, a ter it has been ad uSted to the intended position, the shaft is provided, near one of its ends, with a pair of circumferential rooves 44, as shown in Fig. 5, either one of which is adapted to receive the rejecting end of a spring supported shou dered pin 45 which is entered within a block 46 secured to the side wall of the frame immediately below the feedin shaft. The arrangement is one which ho ds the shaft against accidental dirgalacement, and at the same time permits a justmcnt when a reasonable pressure is brou' ht to bear on one of the rojecting ends of t e shaft. The ribbon she ts 43 are 'ournaled within a pair of u wardly exten ing tubular posts 47, whie are integtilally formed and upwardly e top wall of the frame, slig tly in front of the printing linej and on oposite sides of the machine, C V

Re erring to the right hand side of Fig.

5, each of the shafts 43 projects a consider able distance above the tubular post 47 and is provided, on its up or end, with a collar 48, which is provide with a plurality of spring prongs 49 which encircle the upper end of the shaft and are ada ted to be entered through the hub 50 o a ribbon spool 51, the arrangement being one which permits the spool as a whole to be mounted upon the spring prongs and held under a slight s ring)tens1on, suiiicient to draw forward t e r1 hon under normal conditions,

but insufiicient to break the ribbon in case it be com letely unwound from the oppo-.

site end. he collar 48 is held in place by means of a set screw 52, and the arrange- "ment of the s ring prongs is one which affords a shhul er 53 against which the lower end. of the spool hub abuts. The ribbon is fed from the rear sides of the s )ools through the upper end of a ribbon hol er 54, which comprlses a pair of vertical side arms 55, connected, at their lower end, by a cross bar 56, which is bent to afford a sleeve57, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The vertical side arms 55 terminate, at their upper ends, in a pair of heads 58', each of which is slotted to permit the passa of the ribbon, as best shown in Fig. 6. Each of the heads is provided with a side prong 59, upper and lower intermediate prongs 60 and 61, respectively, and an inner prong 62, which is connected with and serves to support the upper intermediate prongs which depend from a cross head 63.

The ribbon is positioned to lie in front of the inner and outer prongs and behind the upper and lower intermeiate prongs. Between the ends of the intermediate prongs a space is afforded, which permits the upper edge of the ribbon to he slipped in be ind the upper intermediate prong and thereafter permits the lower edge of the ribbon to be lifted over the lower intermediate prong. mits the ribbon to be readily positioned, and, when thus positioned on each side of the holder, the ribbon will be held securely against. displacement, and at the same time freely permitted to feed forward with each strokeof the type. The ribbon holder is mounted upon and actuated by a lift plate 64, which comprises side arms 65 and a rear cross head 66. The side arms, at their front ends, are provided with cars 67 which embrace the ends of the sleeve 57 and serve to receive a pin or ivot 68 which hinges the parts together. he lift plate extends in orizontal position rearward y from the lower end of the ribbon guide and is pivoted, at its rear end, between cars 69 ofa bracket 70, which is riveted or otherwise secured to Ithe rear wall of the frame. In order to permit the lift plate to be thus pivoted, it is provided wita pair of rear ears 71 which receive a pivot rod'or pin T2, the ends of which are entered, through the ears of the bracket and serve to hinge the parts to gethcr. ()ne of the side arms 65 of the lift plate provided with a slot 73. which receives a linger 74 on the inner end of a shift lever T3. The finger is supplemented by a llanged stop T6, which engages the under of each stroke. the ribbon will occupy a face of the lift plate, adjacent to the slot therein. and serves to lift the plate, shown in Fig. 4, when the forward end of the shift lever is depressed. The lever itself is pivotctl to the lzey lever rod 17, near the center of the rod, and the forward end of the lever has pivoted thereto the lower end of a shift rod 77. whieh trarries. at its upper end. a button T8 having asocket sleeve 79 to re ceive the upper end of the shift rod 77.

The socket sleeve is provided with a notch 80 which is adapted to engage with the inwardly projecting edge of -a catch plate 81, which slightly overhangs the hole through which socket the sleeve projects. Thearrangement is one which )ermits the shifting mechanism to be locked, when do pressed and thrown forward to the position shown in Fig. l, against the tension of a spring 83 which engages the lower edge of the lever 7.5 The lift plate is provided with a transversely extending rod 8-1 which, when the parts are in normal position, as shown in Fig. .1, bears against the eoncaved edge 32 tithe head of the link bar. The link bar is normally held in retracted position by the action of the spring 95 which connects with a pivoted arm S43 forming a part of the can riage feed mechanism, which, in turn, engages a slot 8? in the upper side of the rear end of the link bar. Immediately behind the ribbon gtiide is a spring guard plate 88, which is slotted in its center 89 to permit the striking of the type, and is provided with side arms 90 which press against the front surface of the paper and hold it firmly against the platen during the printing operation. The guard plate is cut away in its center 91. and is provided with a pointer 92 adapted to register with a suitable scale, not shown. on. the carriage, position of the platen.

In use, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1, the tvpebar will be thrown baek and the ribbon will be in its lowered position. Vthen any one of the key levers i. struck, the prong 21 will be thrown forward by the depression of the key lever. and will swing forward the fr'eie'end of the universal bar. thereby drawing forward the link bar to the position shown in Fig. 2. This forward movement of the li-nk bar im parts a forward swing to the lower end of the dog arm. and a corresponding rearward movement to the upper end carrying the dog. This serves to move forward the ratchet wheel in the direction of the arrow, thereby for indicatingthe to pull forward the ribbon intermittently with each stroke of a key lever, the intermeshed spool, meanwhile, revolving under the tension of'the. ribbon. At the beginning position below the printing line to expose the paper. but. as a key lever is depressed and the link bar swung forward, the coneaved forward edge of the head of the link bar. which engages the transverse rod on the lift plate, will cause the latter to ride up and enter the lower slot 3 as shown in. Fig. 2; lhis elevates the lift plate and raises the ribbon guide and with it the ribbon; so that, at the time the. type bar de liver.- its stroke, the ribbon will be in a position intermediate the type and the printing line. The return of the key lever to normal )osition allows the transverse rod 011 the lift plate to ride back to its lowermost position and the ribbon guide and ribbon to fall. exposing the letter just printed. At the same time this return movement sw'inzzs bank the dog arm and carries the dog hack into engagement with the next tooth on the ratchet Wheel in prepa ration, for further feed ing of the ribbon. The ribbon will feed in theintended direction so long as a selected pair of bevel pinions are held in mesh. and if, through the oversight. of the operator, the ribbon should be entirely unwound from one of the spools, to which its end is fastened. no damage would result to the robbon. since the spring prongs which engage the winding spool would simply slip around within the hub of the spool and attention would be called. to the necessity for reversing the ribbon feed by the increased pressure re uired in'striking the key levers. after which t e feed can be reversed by longitudinally shifting the feeding shaft to lhrow the other pair of bevel pinions into mesh. In moving the shaft longitudinally. the spring so ported pin to will be lTfflsSQtl back and lield until the intended groove H is brought: into register. when the pin will spring into the groove and hold the shaft against accidental displacement. ln Sl11ft-' ing the ribbon, the button 78 will be depressed, which elevates the lift plate suffioiently to bring the transverse rod 84. which normally rests against the'concaved edge 32. into engagement with the'ovcrhang ing tooth or point 35 on the head of the lnik bar: and the contact with this tooth or point prevents excessive upward movement of the lift plate. Thereafter, when the link bar is drawn forward during the ordinary 0 )en ation of the machine. the slot 34 will at 0rd a clearance for the rod 84. so that the move ments of the link bar will not be interfered the time until thrown back to its normal or with. When the ribbon is shifted in this manner, it will not be vibrated but will maintain a uniform elevated position all lowered position. This stationary elevated position will, obviously, be considerably above the highest point reached in the ordinary vibration of the ribbon, Whichpoint brings the center of the upper or black por tion of the ribbon into re ister with the printing line. since on the shift it is necessary to elevate the ribbon sulliciently to bring the center of the lower section into register with the printing line. The result ing construction is a very simple one, requiring but relatively few parts, most of which are mounted directly upon the frame, which facilitates the assembling of the parts and results in a construction of great strength and rigidity.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In typewriter ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of a frame having side walls, a feed sliaft slidably and rotatably mounted within said side Walls, oppositely l facing driving bevel pimons on said feed shaft, tubular posts upwardly extending from the frame, spool shafts journaled Within said tubular posts and provided on their lower ends with bevel pinions adapted to mesh with the driving bevel pinions when either of the latter is thrown into mesh, spools mounted n Jon the spool shafts, a ran-bet wheel fixedly mounted on the feed shaft. a (log arm pivotally mounted on the feed shaft, a dog carried by said arm and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel. said arlu being provided with a slot, a universal bar adapted to be actuated with i each printing stroke of the typewriter, an 1 arm de 'lending from said universal bar, a link bar pivoted to the end of the arm, and a pin outwardly extending from the link bar and engaging the slotted end of the dog arm. subsianl ially as described.

in typewriter ribbon feeding niechan ism. the rombinaiion of a frame having side walls. a feed shaft slidably and ri'itatablyl mounted within said side walls, oppositely lln'in i' drhing bevel pinions on said feed shaft. tubular posts upwardly extending from the frame. :ElU l diafts 'journalcd within -zll l tubular posts and provided on their l'nvvl' nds with law-l pinions adapted to nie-h with the .drivii'; bevel pinions when r-iihi-r ol 1ln= lntles' i thrown into mesh, a vmllar tor Farh oi" tlir spool Fill-[fir provided with spring prong. spools provided with lllllh slipped onto and held under spring linsion on the Sllltllg'1)l'()1'l;l$,2illl.l iltfl VlltLl lixedly mounted on the feed shaft, a dog arm pivotally mounted on the feed shaft, a dog carried by said arm and adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel, said arm being rovided with a slot, a universal bar adapts to be actuated. with each printing stroke of the typewriter, an arm depend ing from the universal bar, a link bar pivoted to the end of the arm, and a pin outwardly extending from the link bar and engaging the slotted endnflthe dog arm, sub stantially' as described.

3. In typewriter ribbon feeding mccham ism a ribbon holder provided at its upper end with two heads each having inner, outer and intermediate prongs, the intermediate prong being cut awa to permit the insertion of a ribbon, behind said prong and in front ofthe inner and outer prongs, substantially as described.

.4. In typewriter ribbon feeding mechanism, tivertically extending ribbon holder, a

l ifit plate pivoted to the lower end of the ribbon holder, a universal bar, an arm depending from the universal bar, a link bar, pivoted at its forward end to said arm and provided at its rear end with a cam surface, and a member on said lift plate adapted to be engaged by said cam surface and raised with every printing stroke of the typewriter, substantially as described.

In typewriter ribbon feeding mechanlSlll, a vertically extending ribbon holder, a

lift plate pivoted to the lower end of the f ribbon holder, :1 universal bar. connections between the universal bar and the lift plate, for lifting the latter with every printing stroke of the typewriter, and a shift lever having its rear end in engagement with the lift plate and having at its forward end. a key shank provided with a button for do pressing the forward end of the shift lever when shifting the ribbon, substantially as described.

6. In ty )ewriter ribbon feeding mechanism, a vertically extending ribbon holder, a lift plate pivoted to the lower end of the ribbon holder, a universal bar, an arm depending from the universal bar. a lfnk bar pivoted at its forward end to said arm and provided at its rear end with a rain surface. a member on said lift plate adapted to be engaged by said cam surface and raised with every printing stroke of the typewriter, and a shift lever having its rear end in engagement with the lift plain and having at its forward end a key shank provided with a button. for depressing the forward til of the shift lever when shifting tht' 1'5 )l)()I1.

substantially as described.

7. ln typewriter ribbon feeding met-ban ism. a vertically extending ribbon holder. n lift plate pivoted to the lower end of the ribbon holder, :1 universal bar. connerlious Iii-tween the universal bar and the lift plate. for lifting the latter with every printing stroke of the typenliter. a pivoted shift lever having its inner end in migagi ucnt with the lift plate. a vertical member pi votlIlU ill)

50 sal bar will 60 of the ribbon holder at ed to the forward end of the shift ever and provided with a notch. a catch plate adapted. to engage said notb when the notched member is depressed and swung into ei'igagement with the catch plate. and a button on the notched member. alllbltlllllltlhl' as tjleseribed.

is. In typewriter ribbon feeding mechau ism, a vertically extending ribbon holder, a lift plate pivoted to the lower end of the ribbon holder, a universal bar, an arm depending from the universal bar. a link bar pivoted at. its forward. end to Stlld arm and provided at its rear end with'a cam surface, a member on said lift plate adapted to be engaged by said cam surface and raised with every printing stroke of the typewriter. a pivoted shift, lever having lts inner end in engagement with the lift plate, a vertical member pivoted to the forward end of the catch plate adapted to engage said notch when the notched member is depressed and swung into engagement with the catch plate.

and a button on the notched member, substantially as described.

of the ribbon holder at one end. a hinged mounting for the lift plate at the opposite end, a transversely extending bar secured to the lift plate, a. link bar provided on its inner end with a head having a cam surface engaging said rod for lifting the rod with each forward tnoven'ient of the link bar, and av universal bar with which the link bar is connected. substantially as described.

10. In typewriter ribbon feeding nun-l lll' longitudinal m vement of the ribbon there througln: of the ribbon holder at one end. a lillfl ti mounting forthc lift plate at the oppmite end. a transversely extending bar ecured to lift plate l'ii'ngcd to the tout-v end l 20 shift lever and provided with a notch. a.

40 ism. a ribbon holder adapted to permit the y the lift plate. a link bar provided on its in ner end ith a head having a rain nurtu e err gaging said rod for lifting the rod with earh forward movement of the link bar. a univer w rli the link bar is vonneutod. and a pivo' i t u lever having its inner end in cnga en with the lift ar for rai. ing the same ath a depression of the forward end of the lever, substantially as tile scribed.

11. In typewriter ribbon feeding mechanlongitudinal movement of the ribb n therethrough, a lift plate hinged to the lower end end. a hinged mounting for the lif plate at the opposite end. a transversely extending bar secured to the lift plate, a link bar provided on its innor end with a head having a (Hill surface engaging said rod for lifting the ind with each forward movement of the link bar. a nnivereal bar with which the link bar is ronnerted. and a pivoted shifting lever provided at il'. inner end with an tip-turned finger en.- tered through the lift bar'and having a stop adjacent to said linger adapted to en 'age the lift bar with Oilt'll depression of the forward end of the shifting lever. substantially as de scribed.

12. In typewriter ribbon feeding nieehanism. the combination of a frame. a feed shaft slidably and rotatably mounted within the sides of the frame and provided near its ends with oppositely facing driving bevel pinions \ertical spool Flltlffs journaled within the frame and provided at their lower ends with bevel pinions either of which is adapted to mesh with its companion driving bevel pinion npou the longitudinal adjustment of the feed shaft. a ratchet wheel on the feed shaft, a dog arm pivoted to the feed shaft. carrying the dog adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel a universal bar. a link ba r ronnected with the universal bar. a pin on the link bar engaging the dog arm. a vertical ribbon holder. a lift plate connected to the lower end of the ribbon holder. said plate being eonneeted with the inner end of the link bar and adapted to be raised by eaeh forward movement thereof. substantially as described.

13. In typewriter ribbon feeding mechanism. the combination of a frame. a feed shaft slidably and rotatably mounted within the sides of the frame and provided near its ends with oppositely facing driving bevel pinions: vertical spool shafts journaled w ithin the frame and provided at their lower ends with bevel pint-nu either of which is adapted to mesh with its winpanion driving bevel pinion upon the longitudinal adjustm nt of the feed shaft. a ratehet wheel on the feed shaft]. a dog arin pivoteilto the feed shaft. varrving the dog adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel av univerbar. a link bar connected with th: uuivet-ml bar. a pin on the link bar HIQ'IHTlIIg the dog arm. a vertical ribbon holder. a 11ft plate connected to the lower end of the ribbon holder. said plate being connerted with the inner end of the link bar and adapted to be rai ed by each forward movement thereof. and a pivoted shift lever having its inner end in engagement with the lift plate and adapt ed to have its outer end depressed to shift the position of the ribbon. Substantially as desii'ri bed.

RICHARD W. UHLIG. lltitnesses B. F. GRAY, V. T. BRASSARD. 

